Nectarine tree named ‘NECTARELSE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree denominated ‘NECTARELSE’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh comprising a red pigmentation along the pistil conduct, into the stone cavity and star-shaped around this cavity, and an attractive luminous skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘NECTARELSE’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2014/3174 filed on Nov. 27, 2014 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NECTARELSE’. This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone white flesh fruits with red pigmentation for fresh market in October in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘0322E82NB’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,768) for reliable description. ‘NECTARELSE’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration both before and after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NECTARELSE’ white nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NECTARELSE’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the ‘NECTAVANTOP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,493) yellow nectarine tree, which was used as the seed parent, and the ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384) white nectarine tree which was used as the pollen parent.

The ‘NECTARELSE’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a “INRAGF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NECTARELSE’ white nectarine tree blooms in March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it blooms between March 10^(th) and March 31^(th). The blooming period is considered late to very late. However, it was observed that its early date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NECTARELSE’ ripens generally at the end of September or early in October, approximately 1 week earlier than the ripening of the first fruit of ‘0322E82NB’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,768). More particularly, it usually ripens between September 11^(th) and October 4^(th). Thus, the time of maturity of fruits for consumption is considered very late. However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows four typical specimens of the fruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left into one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh and pit of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing a close view of typical fruits of the new variety ‘NECTARELSE’ at ripening time.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph that shows different views of the stone and kernel of the new variety ‘NECTARELSE’.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NECTARELSE’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered late to very late; flowering begins in mid-March. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with large petal size. Petals are pale pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is white generally with a red pigmentation in a star-shape around and into the stone cavity. The fruit skin is very thick, with a purple blush on a cream red background. The stone is clingstone and the size is medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘0322E82NB’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,768), ‘NECTARELSE’ ripens approximately 7 days earlier. Moreover, the fruits of ‘NECTARELSE’ are of size AA-A whereas the fruits of ‘0322E82NB’ are of uniform size AA. ‘NECTARELSE’ variety shows a luminous red skin color covering 70% of the fruit on a cream-colored background. The fruits of ‘0322E82NB’ variety show a skin with 80% of a luminous red on a pink beige background. Finally, the fruits of ‘NECTARELSE’ consumed crunchy or melting whereas the fruits of ‘0322E82NB’ variety are preferably consumed very crunchy.

Compared to its female parent ‘NECTAVANTOP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,493) which is a yellow nectarine tree, the new variety ‘NECTARELSE’ is a white nectarine tree. The time of maturity of the fruits are also different between the new variety and its female parent; the fruits of ‘NECTARELSE’ variety ripen 1 month to 6 weeks later than the fruits of ‘NECTAVANTOP’ variety. Thus, ‘NECTAVANTOP’ is considered to have a medium season of maturity whereas ‘NECTARELSE’ variety has a late to very late maturity period.

The new variety male parent, which is ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384), ripens at the end of August or early in September. In comparison, the first fruits of the new variety ‘NECTARELSE’ ripen at the end of September or early in October.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their fourth growing season (third year of production) for trees, fruits, leaves and stones and in their fifth growing season (fourth year of production) for flowers under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA GF677” trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to             80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next             years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm including             current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently             reduced to 250 cm the next years. -   Spread: Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole     orchard was oriented to a central leader organization, with tree     lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same     tree line. As a result, tree spread was about 100 cm and the orchard     contained 2500 trees by hectare. -   Vigor: Considered medium vigorous. -   Productivity: Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit set is     spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired     market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with the     prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices employed     during the bloom period, and is therefore not distinctive of the     present variety. -   Bearer: Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered     homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1 year.     Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for the tree     valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during the years of     observation. -   Form: The ‘NECTARELSE’ variety has naturally a semi-flared to     semi-upright shape. -   Density: Considered dense. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The     variety appears to be hardy under the central Pyrénées-Orientales     departement typical climatic conditions. Experimentations on     different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised between     350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour of the tree in all     cases. No damages were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as     −12 degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant to     frosty springtime weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Between 6.5 and 7.2 centimeters in diameter when measured     at a distance of approximately 30 centimeters above the soil level. -   Bark texture: Considered rough, with lenticels. -   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The number of lenticels     reaches 2 or 3 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from     approximately 3.0 millimeters to 5.0 millimeters in width, and     approximately 2.5 to 3.0 millimeters in height. -   Lenticel color: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color     (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed     Orange 165 A to RHS Greyed Orange 165 B). -   Bark coloration: The bark has a silver-grey color (RHS Grey 201 C)     slightly darker similar to the outside of lenticels color.

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches and current season shoots are considered     medium for the variety. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. The     current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters,     and mature branches have a diameter from 9.0 to 13.0 millimeters. -   Surface texture: Average, wood which is several years old has no     furrowed appearance. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the     crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees and 60 degrees from     the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not     considered distinctive of the variety, however. -   Current season shoots: -   Internode length: Generally between 22.0 and 30.0 millimeters. -   Color of mature branches: Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS     Grey Brown 199 B). -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a pale             yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A) on lower part of new             shoot tips, whereas the upper part is darker and colored in             brown-purple (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf length/leaf     width is 3.48. -   Leaf length: Approximately 143.0 to 154.0 millimeters without leaf     petiole. The medium length is 149.0 millimeters. -   Leaf width: Approximately 35.0 to 47.0 millimeters. The medium width     is 42.8 millimeters. -   Leaf base shape: Concave. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. -   Leaf tip form: Acuminate. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A).         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 147 B) than             the upper leaf surface color. -   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow Green 150 D).             The color may evolve with maturity. -   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating. -   Form: Considered slightly dentate. -   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last     case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or two smaller     leaves (at least 50% smaller). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 11.0 to about 14.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters. -   Petioles color:     -   -   Upper petiole surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A             to RHS Yellow Green 144 B).         -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.5             millimeters and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             light green (RHS Yellow Green 144 B to RHS Yellow Green 144             A). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a dark brown             (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown 199 B).         -   Margins.—Smooth and regular. -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 11.0             millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the             bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of             purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed             Purple 183 B or RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple             187 B and RHS Grey Brown Group 199 A at the base). The             corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of medium pink             color (RHS Red Purple 65 B). Petals color shows an evolution             until the end of flowering. -   Hardiness: The buds are considered hardy under typical central     Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions. No winter     injury was noted during the last several years of evaluation in the     central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as     low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety has not     been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the     variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up     to 42 degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and 30     degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer. -   Date of bloom: The blooming time generally begins around mid-March.     The bloom was observed on 2013 between March 15^(th) and March     29^(th). -   Blooming time: Considered late-season in relative comparison to     other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the     Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is     observed at the middle of the blooming period. The date of bloom     varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.     Thus the first full bloom was observed on 2013, from March 15^(th)     until March 29^(th), then from March 10^(th) to Mar. 20, 2014 and     from March 21^(th) until Mar. 31, 2015. -   Duration of bloom: Approximately 11 to 15 days. This characteristic     varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower     (rosette type). -   Flower size: Considered large. Flower diameter at full bloom is     approximately 43.0 to 48.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered very abundant, approximately between 45     and 50 flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a high rate     of fruit set. -   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,     occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large. -   Length: Generally between 21.0 and 23.0 millimeters. -   Width: Generally between 19.0 and 22.0 millimeters. -   Petal form: Round-shaped. -   Petal count: Generally 5. -   Petal texture: Smooth, soft and glabrous. -   Petal color: Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a pale Pink     (RHS Red Purple 69 B to RHS Red Purple 69 C) when young, becoming     slightly darker until the end of blooming. -   Fragrance: Sweet. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a narrow form.         -   Length.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters.         -   Color.—The color of petal claw is darker than the petal             color (RHS Red Purple 61 B). -   Petal margins: Slightly undulating. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally wide dome-shaped. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium to large and having an average             length of approximately 2.5 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.5 millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green N144 A to RHS Yellow Green             N144 B). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is open,             the inner surface of the calyx is greenish yellow (RHS             Yellow Group 13A to RHS Yellow Group 13B or Yellow Orange             Group 17A or RHS Yellow Green 150 A to RHS Yellow Green 150             B). The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed             Purple 183 B or RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Grey Purple             187 B and RHS Yellow Green 144 A to B at the base). -   Sepals:     -   -   Number.—Generally five sepals.         -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Margins.—Smooth.         -   Form.—Conic with a round tip.         -   Size.—Average.         -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 to 7.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, the inner surface of the             sepals is greenish yellow (RHS Yellow Group 13A to RHS             Yellow Group 13B or Yellow Orange Group 17A or RHS Yellow             Green 150 A to RHS Yellow Green 150 B). The outer surface of             the sepals is considered of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed             Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed Purple 183 B or RHS Greyed Purple             183 C or RHS Grey Purple 187 B and RHS Yellow Green 144 A to             B at the base). -   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 34 to 40 stamens     per flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Small in length.         -   Color.—At the beginning of maturity, anthers show an orange             yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange B)             or red to red orange color (RHS Red Group N34 A or RHS             Greyed Red Group 178 A). The color may evolve with maturity             to turn in a red orange color. -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a orange yellow color     (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to RHS Yellow Orange 17C)     which may evolve with maturity. The present variety is considered     auto-fertile (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Medium length, between 12.0 and 16.0 millimeters in             length. Filaments length is slightly smaller than the             pistil's length. -   Color: Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 C to     RHS Red Purple 62 D or RHS Red Purple 73 A to RHS Red Purple 73 B).     The color becomes darker during the blooming. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters including the             ovary. Generally similar size or slightly higher than stamen             length.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group             151 D) at the beginning of flowering, it becomes lighter and             lighter (RHS Yellow Green 150 D) during the blooming and             sometimes very slightly pinky (RHS Red Group 36D) at the end             of the blooming.         -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Very firm in ripe conditions (shipping     ripe). -   Date of first picking: Sep. 24, 2012. -   Date of last picking: The date of harvest varies slightly with the     prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NECTARELSE variety has an very     late date of picking, and a grouped maturity. The maturity is     grouped within 5 to 11 days and the harvest is generally performed     in two runs. Last known picking times carry on from September     24^(th) to Sep. 28, 2012, then from September 28^(th) until Oct. 4,     2013, then from September 11^(th) to Sep. 21, 2014 and from     September 12^(th) to Sep. 19, 2015. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size. Generally size 2A. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 67.0 to 70.0 millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately 61.0 to 65.0 millimeters. -   Typical weight: Generally about 175.0 to 195.0 grams. This     characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural     practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the     variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round. The fruit is generally uniform in             symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane. -   Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending from the     base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along     the suture line. Not pointed. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar color to the whole             fruit color, a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187             B). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth. -   Apex: Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed. -   Base: Semi-flared, shallow. -   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is about 12.0 to 15.0     millimeters. Average width is about 14.0 to 18.0 millimeters. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and the             adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium, depending on             the fruit maturity.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level of sugars.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is a luminous purple red (RHS             Greyed Purple 187 B). The red blush covers 75% to 85% of the             fruit skin surface on a cream pink red background (RHS             Greyed Red 179 A). The percentage of the blush on the fruit             skin surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the             prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color covers approximately 15 to             25% of the fruit skin surface, and is considered cream pink             red (RHS Greyed Red 179 A). -   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 9.0 to 10.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters. -   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long             shelf life.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at             harvest maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet and very aromatic. The Brix is             generally superior to 13 and acidity comprised between 6 and             9 meq/100 ml.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally 14.0 to 16.0 degrees. This characteristic             varies slightly with the number of fruit per tree;             prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic             conditions.         -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS White 155 C) usually with a             red pigmentation (RHS Red 53 A) into the stone cavity and             star-shaped around this cavity on approximately 9.0 to 10             millimeters. The red pigmentation is also present along the             pistil conduct.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the fruit     maturity. -   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies     significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and     prevailing growing conditions. -   Length: Approximately 30.0 to 32.0 millimeters. -   Width: Approximately 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 16.0 to 17.0 millimeters. -   Form: Elliptic. -   Base: Straight. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is short, pointed. -   Stone cavity: Considered medium size, with an ovate-form and     dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 1.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved. -   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered     light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 165 B to RHS Greyed Orange 165     C). -   Tendency to split: Splitting is very low or absent, depending on     climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 17.0 to 18.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 12.0 to 14.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is a orange-brown (RHS Greyed Orange             164 A). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is             white (RHS White 155 A) and has a bitter tasting. The kernel             and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘NECTARELSE is considered to be a nectarine     tree of the very late season of maturity, and which produces fruits     that are considered firm, attractively colored with a very luminous     purple red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent for     uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full maturity.     Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to their flesh     quality, firmness and density, they can also be commercialized as     4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example).     And they are also useful for both local and very long distance     shipping. -   Keeping quality: Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation and a long     shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. After growth completion, fruits are     preserved more than one week. After harvest, fruits are well     preserved more than 4 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new white     nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin     damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing     procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing     and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily     permit 3 to 4 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery     mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and     strong skin. Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses     the described characteristics when grown under the ecological     conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement,     France, it should be understood that variations of the usual     magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing     conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural     management are to be expected. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh comprising a red pigmentation along the pistil conduct, into the stone cavity and star-shaped around this cavity, and an attractive luminous skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface. 